TRULY MYSTICAL, TRULY FABULOUS (Istanbul)

Member Name: superdez

Product:	Istanbul
Date:	13/12/00 (69 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: AMAZING CITY

Disadvantages: very crowded

If you've lived in a European city all your life you have no idea of what you await in Istanbul. It is a place which has almost been taken out of a movie, with dazzling sunsets, enchanting sounds and stunning smells. Built on two sides of the bosphorus it is the melting pot of two cultures: european and islamic, and what better way to represent it than admiring the architectural genious of the bosphorus bridge connecting these two sides!!!

Istanbul has so much to offer!! Historically it is one of the most important cities in the world, and you will realise this by the number of monuments and ruins you can visit. Its walls have lived many battles and have defeated the greatest of them all: time.

Walking amongst its busy streets, watching the hustle and bustle, watch workers carrying spices, farmers selling drugs or smoking them, all in the most relaxed of manners, one truly realises the ethnic mixing which has occurred on this land.

Touring the Grand Bazaar, which is truly GRAND, you can admire almost every product you can think of at the most ridiculous prices. If your a foreigner, you will notice they give you a starting price 5 times higher than that of a Turk, so be prepared to bargain. Whats amazing in Turkey is the new boom in electronics. You can find copies of all the latest games and osftware for half a pound. Its that amzazing (and that illegal).

The bazaar also offers perfect imitations of designer brands, with labels and washing instructions identical to the costly originals. BE WARN sometimes they are the originals!!! However thay are stolen, cause Turkey hosts thousands of factories for designer labels!!!

The food in Turkey is delicious. It is very mediterranean, consisting heavily on vegetables and sauces. Fish is also very common, and Istanbul, due to its access to sea has a fresh supply just waiitng for you in restaurants hanging over the calm blue waters of the bosphorus!!! I wouldn't really trus
t the many small snack sellers, well I trust them just don't trust the meat. This is importnat as it is common of tourists to presume all food is safe.

Hotel prices are rather high, that is because Istanbul is a city on great request due it growing popularity, and all the major hotels belong to big Western companies, but don't worry, the real low cost of living and goods compensates for this matter.

Istanbul is mainly a city for youngster and elderly, however not really suitable for children. It offers great nightlife and optimal relax for those who get tired a bit too easily. Children will need to be kept pretty close forsafety as it is really easy to get lost in the crowded cities of one of the most influential cities in the world.

If you want to make the most of a holiday in Istanbul keep these tips in mind: 1 Grabbing a taxi is an art so make sure you always check the taxim meter is on and always check the price of the run.
2 Never wonder at night on your own, its a very busy city and all sorts of things can happen. (not necessarily violent)
3 If you don't want to hang around in the toilet during the holiday, make sure you bring the right medication
4 enjoy the stay.

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